The bill amends the existing law governing public utilities in Michigan, specifically addressing the regulation of electric utilities and their contracts with data centers. It introduces a new section, 10ii, which prohibits the public service commission from approving any contracts, tariffs, discounts, or rates between electric utilities and qualified data centers until April 1, 2027. This measure aims to regulate the financial arrangements between these entities, potentially impacting the energy market and data center operations in the state.
Additionally, the bill defines a "data center" as a facility designed for housing data center equipment that centralizes data storage and processing. This definition clarifies the scope of the prohibition and ensures that the commission's regulatory powers are applied consistently to facilities that meet this criterion. Overall, the bill seeks to establish a framework for managing the relationship between electric utilities and data centers, reflecting the growing importance of data management in the energy sector.
Statutes affected: Senate Introduced Bill: 460.1, 460.11